Many gardeners move to Gilbert from the Midwest or East Coast and try to plant their vegetables in May, only to watch their tomatoes and peppers sizzle and die by June. Gardening in the desert isn't harder—it's just completely different.
In the East Valley, we actually have two primary growing seasons: a warm-season garden and a cool-season garden. With the right timing and soil preparation, you can harvest fresh vegetables 365 days a year.
The Desert Gardening Calendar
To succeed, you must align your planting with our local weather patterns:
1. The Fall/Winter Season (September – March)
This is our longest and most productive season. The soil is warm, the air is cooling, and frost is rare. What to plant: Kale, lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, onions, garlic, and sugar snap peas. These cool-weather crops thrive in our mild winter temperatures.
2. The Spring/Summer Season (February – June)
This is our warm-season window. You must plant early enough so crops can flower and set fruit before the extreme 100°F+ heat hits in June. What to plant: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, melons, cucumbers, beans, and corn. Plant transplant starts in late February or early March, rather than waiting until May.
Building Desert Garden Soil
Arizona soil is essentially crushed rock and caliche. It lacks organic matter, holds very little water, and has a high pH. Trying to grow vegetables directly in desert soil is frustrating. We highly recommend raised beds or dedicated garden boxes filled with a custom soil mix:
- 60% High-Quality Compost: Rebuilds organic matter and introduces nutrients.
- 20% Coconut Coir or Peat Moss: Holds moisture in the hot sun.
- 20% Perlite or Pumice: Ensures drainage and prevents soil compaction.
To feed your garden beds, avoid harsh synthetic fertilizers which contain salts that build up in the desert soil. Instead, use natural compost soil tea brews. Compost tea inoculates the garden soil with millions of beneficial bacteria and protozoa, which break down nutrients and deliver them to your vegetable roots naturally.
Summer Survival Strategies
In July and August, the goal is survival. Use a 50% shade cloth stretched over your garden beds to protect plants from sunburn and reduce water evaporation. Keep your beds heavily mulched with straw or wood shavings to protect the roots, and water deeply in the early morning hours to keep the plants hydrated through the hottest part of the day.